East Northporter Karen Steinhaus recognized as 2026 Senior Citizen of the Year
Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (center) with 2026 Senior Citizen of the Year Karen Steinhaus (right) and Linda Oristano, executive director of AWARE.
Legislator Stephanie Bontempi recognized during a ceremony last week East Northport resident Karen Steinhaus as the 2026 Senior Citizen of the Year for the 18th Legislative District.
Steinhaus was born and raised in Centerport alongside her four younger sisters. With a father deeply involved in politics, she learned early the importance of civic engagement, community responsibility and giving back, according to a press release provided by Bontempi’s office.
After a long and successful career at Verizon, Steinhaus has embraced retirement as an opportunity to further strengthen the community she loves. She has dedicated more than 42 years to volunteer service, contributing to numerous local organizations that have enriched and supported the East Northport community, the press release said. Her involvement includes serving as a Cub Scout den leader, volunteering with the Telcom Pioneers Chapter 85 Paumanok, working on the research committee for AWARE Drug and Alcohol Community Coalition and serving as both a neighborhood activist and Park Steward for the Town of Huntington.
Steinhaus has also played a key role in local beautification and preservation efforts. Her advocacy and hands‑on work have supported improvements at the Grace Preserve Log Cabin in Greenlawn, enhancements to Kew Avenue Park and the Honorable Harry Brown Park in East Northport, and $700,000 in upgrades to parks and beaches in both Northport and East Northport.
She has been a vocal community leader in rallying against the sale of Dickinson Avenue Elementary School and in advocating for funding for the Clock Tower Park clock in East Northport.
“Karen’s lifelong dedication to service and her unwavering commitment to the betterment of East Northport embody the very best of our community,” said Legislator Bontempi. “Her decades of volunteerism, advocacy and hands‑on leadership have made a lasting impact, and she is truly deserving of this recognition as our Senior Citizen of the Year.”
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